01 Aug 08
Abarth 595/695 poster
5. Abarth 595/695
Abarth continued to produce original one-off racers for clients in the '50s and '60s, and modified a number of large-engined vehicles as well as cars from Renault and Simca.
Abarth also created the Porsche 356-based Carrera Coupe Corsa which won the European Championships for Porsche. However, the Abarth-tuned 595 and 695 - based on the original 'Cinquecento' - are arguably the company's most famous product. They raced in private hands all over the world in sub-700cc categories, engines hanging out of the rear hatch.
The 'small but wicked' 595 had its engine upped 10bhp to 28bhp - entirely sufficient for the 470kg bodyweight - and the later 695, based on the second-generation 500 with conventionally-hinged doors, had 32bhp in standard form but could develop up to 55bhp with the supplemental 'SS' ('Essesse') kit.
Owners could fit items including 10" wheels, a five-speed gearbox, wider bumpers, disc brakes and of course, all the trimmings (plenty of lookalikes were made).
